Daily Yellowstone journal., 1887-11-27
m .sUNes FROM THE BAHAMAS.
- Interesting Experiences Of sciss-
tific Party from PennsylvAnia.


- Interesting Experiences Of . sciss-
tidc Party from PennsyivAnia.
NE little party of biologists sent out by
- University Of Pennsylvania in June
- make investigations and researches
kave returned with abundance of glory
snd several boxes, tubs and tanks full OF
s1rious specimens. The primary purpose
q the jaunt was to give the party an
spportunity to determine upon the Ba.
hamas as the site of a biological marine
laation that the university desires to estab.
-. and hopes to have in existence within
fhree years. II already has a considerable
fund for that purpose.
The residence of the party during their
aay was at comfortable house three
nniles from Nassau, almost upon the
vater's edge. They lived in community,
each member taking charge of the men
IN turn. The cost was extremely modest.
The men went to work at once, taking
advantage of such assistance as the people
soandabout could afford. A young boat
nan and diver named Brown Was found
- be of great use, having already served
three distinguished naturalists.
All the party were good swimmers.
and soon learned to do their own diving.
Each provided himself with crowbar
end e water box, a small box with plate
glass bottom. The glass, quieting the rip
ples ON the surface of the sea. enabled
them to see far down into the depths,
many times to the very bottom. When
any one saw q bit of rock bearing corals,
anemones, sponges, or other objects that
As wished to secure he tossed the glass
sside, dived down and pried the de ired
specimen loose with the crowbar aud car
red it up under his arm. Practice en-
sbles them all to stay long time under
water. MIR. Marshall frequently remained
Two minutes submerged. DIR. D,lley says
hat any man can remain under water a
considerable time il he will simply make
up his mind to do 80. There is an intense
feeling Of oppression at first, but DIR.
Dolley says it is simply nervousness, and
soon passes away.
The. men could work ir pairs, and
<bough the salt water dimmed the sight,
they managed to see sufficiently well un-
Aer water. They had no water spectacles
With them. The water round the coral
reefs is full of tiny animalcula. which
sting the skin, and the naturalists were
obliged to cover their bodies as thor
sughly as possible. As it was, their
hands, which they kept bare, were stung
INTO condition Of intense redness. The
Party made such investigations as they
could find time for into the habits of the
Ponge, and besides made four days
cruise in schooner.
Altogether specimens were obtained of
Svery variety of coral known to exist in
the region, a number of new anemones
end sponges were discovered, and the col
section of crustaceans and echinoderms is
somplete. The moths and butterflies are
vell represented, as are the reptiles, liz
srds, snakes and turtles. Besides the
animals secured, fine collection of ma
I've woods, some seventy varieties, was
added, and a large number of tropical
GIANTS were potted and brought alive for
NE new conservatory of the biological de.
psftment. Among them are specimens
d nearly all the orchids found ON the
hlands.
Several medicinal plants were secured,
snA experiments will be made as to their
Gherapeutic value. Among them is q
Surious bean that animals are very fond
q eating. At first the animals grow
beautifully fat and sleek. But in about
two weeks their tails and names drop of,
n another week their hoofs and horns, il
hey have horns, 60. Then they grow
weaker and weaker, and finally die Of
fatty degeneration. But even to the enc
hey eat the beans with infinite relish.
There are other plants in the collection
hat are used by the natives in the treat.
Dent of rheumatism and dysentery with
apparent success. The doctors are "bush
men," who have learned the medicinal
quality of herbs and roots and trees by
tradition. Governor Blake. for the party,
sailed to the Island of Alaco one day and
settled the question as TO whether fiamin.
Cpes sit in or stand over their nests, a
qnestion about which naturalists have
been in dispute these many years. DIR.
Oolley says Governor Blake reported that
1amingoes sit in their nests like other
birds. The party went swimming al
aight in a wonderful phosphorescenl
IKE. At every stroke the swimmer
9eated waves of fire, and when the,
climbed out upon their boat their bodie-
seemed TO be covered with myriads o
aaming sparks. The sparks, Of course
we're myriads Of copepods, the little glow
ing creatures who give the appearance o
Gre 10 the surface of the lake.
Some skulls Of the Luycayans, tn,
aiginal inhabitants of the island, wht
9ere exterminated within thirty year
sitter their discovery by Columbus, wer,
ocund in cave. One of them will b,
Sresented 10 the Academy OF Natural Sci
nces here. Most Of the biological speci
mems will be placed in the museum o
he department at the university.-Phila-
aelphia Times.